Visual annunciator



May 3 1927.

\ w. TQDIPPEL VISUAL ANNUNCIATOR Filed March 18, 1922 2 Shuts-Sheet 1 Qvwantoz Patented May 3, 1927.

- WIL 'IAM' T. DIPPEL, on NnwfrronK; 1 I.'Y., assume 'ro' iannnrsonfs. "ivrnntrin, or

I I BROOKLYN, NEW YOR 1 vIsU L Annunciation. I i

. Application fi-led MarchlS, r922. sse'ruu No. 544,728.

This invention relatesto 'annunciators of the type in which visual-selectiveand vanable signals can be displayed at a point cli's-" .etant from the operator and in positions-not always easily accessible. For example in stock exchanges or other organizations, the

members may each represent a number of correspondents who may desire-to call them .An object of party, which may be inspected or removed tion;

-ifrequently from themeeting without 'dis 10' turbing'the others-present, andfor this pur-' pose the present invention may be advantageously employed. .These' annunciators or signalsdevices are usually mounted on a *w'a-ll, above the heads of the personspr'esent, and in case of trouble it is desirable that-the annunciator or device be accessible for =in'- spection and removalirom the rear of the wall 'orsupport upon which it is mounted.

the invention is to provide an improved annunciator or visual signal device with which members or persons may be visually notified that they are wanted and apprised of the identificatioi'i of the calling from the rear of itssu-p'port and whichflis effective and reliable, in operation, and sim-.

ple, compact, durable and inexpensive in,

screws 11 extendrearWardlyfrom;thet plate 6', one passingfthrough .-eachslot 9 of a bracket' memberand carryingup'on itsfrear end an I elongated washer 12 and a nut 13, with av split spring friction washer :14; (Fig; ,4) between the' nut and vthe,w asher 12.1 The washer -12 isof a size and shape such that in, one rotativeposit-ion"upon the screw construction.

Other objectsand advantages will be ap-' with the annuncia'tor-infone fdisplay condi- Fig. 4 is a transverse hori'zontal'section through the same the section" being taken approximately along the line f4-- l of Fig. 3; Fig. 5is a vertical transverse elevation of the 82141118 the section being taken, approxi mately along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4:, but with the annunciator in non-[display condi- Fig. 6 is tion of a'p'orti'on of the same with the sec-- 'tion' taken approximately along the line '6 6 of Fig. 3; and i Fig. 7. 's a fragmentary horizontal transa fragmentary sectional elevaverse section ofa po rtioniiofthe same the section 'taken approximately along the line 7-7 of 'Fig. 3.

In the illustrated 1, Y embodiment, a. jatacing wall 1 i'SzPI'OVldGd with an=aperture 2 (Figs. i

1, 5"and7) forleach. annunciator andiarecwith the aperture 2. e A 'pair of angular bracketmembers 4 (Figs. 2, #land 5 )are I secured. by screws 5 r to opposite inside walls 'ofthe frame 3,.each member having-an arm 1 l which; extends partially across the aperture 2; .A'plateG (Figs. '3 and 4)-;is adapted Y to :fit acrossthe-apertureQ andagainstthe I angular ends 4? ';of-tl1e bracket members.

Dowel pins 7 (Fig. 2) are carried by the rear face ofitheplate and fit into apertures 8 in the angular arms- P ofithe bnacket inembers 1 e for supportingthe .platef'6. from t'heltrame and/also rp io i g th P a et .P P'e'n ye with respect to theapertureZQ The angular arm l of each bracket member is provided with a-sloti9 extending upwardly fromthe rrearwardly, to form lugs '10. iBolts, or

11, for example thevertical positionin, the embodiment illustrated, (Figs. 2 and n it member to permit placing of the plate across the aperture 2. or removing it therefrom.

slot 9, the w'asherlQ will lie'to the r'e'arof 'lowergedge, and the lower edge of each ran-gin lar arm.-on; each side of the slotis turned will pass through the slot 9 of thebracjket the'angulararmof the bracketmember and may be then I rotatedv through small angle upon the screw soyas to bridge the, slot by extending across the slotjffrom side to, side, I as shown in Figure 2. lfjthen thenut i*l-3 is tightenech tl ie washer ;12- Will 'beclamped against ethe rear face, of the arm Of the bracket member and will-securely anchor. the

plate 6 thereto. ;Theflugsf10' prevent rotation of they washer 12after it is c l-amped against the bracket member so that there will be no danger of a rotation of the washer into a. position in which it would pass through the slot and release the plate 6, until after the nut 13 has been considerably loosened. If desired a spring (notshown),

may be placed around the screw 11 between the washer 12 and the rear face of the plate 6 so as to yieldingly hold the washer 12 against the nut 13 and facilitate the passage of the Washer through the slot when the plate is being mounted across the aperture 2.

A pairof bearing blocks 15 (Figs. 1, 8

"and 7 are provided with threaded shanks 16 (Fig. 7) which pass through apertures 17 in the plate 6- at opposite sides .of the plate. Nuts 18 and split washers 19 upon the ends" of the threaded shank 16 abut against the rear face of the plate 6 and securely anchorthe bearing blocks to the plate. A hearing block 20-is secured by a screw 21 to the plate6 between-and in alignj ment with thebearing blocks 15. A. bearing rod 22 extends through the bearing blocks 15 and 20, being provided at its ends with small collars 23. A pluralityof auxiliary or component vanes A, B, C, and D are hinged edge 'foredge upon the rod 22,-be-

tween the blocks 15, each vane being in- 'dividually and independently rotatable about the rod 22 from a position above the rod 22 and abuttingthe plate 6 to ausimilar position below the rod 22. provided along the opposite faces of each end edgewith strips 24 (Fig. 1)- Each pair-0fthe strips extend beyond an; edge of the-' vane and the abutting faces ofthe ends are A main vane E is cupped as at 25to form split bearings which embracethe bearing rod22 between the collars 23 and the blocks 15, and serve as hinges for'the' vane. The main Vane is,

therefore, pivoted for rotation'upon the axis of the'rod 22. independently of the componen't vanes. A pinion 26 is rotatably' mounted upon the rod 22 between two of the sections such as and C, and a strip27 (Figs. 1; andti) secured along a face of the ma n vane E extends-into a radia l slot ciprocal movement and vice versa.

in the pinion and is anchored therein, whereby the main vane and pinion' will rotate together. V

The frame=28 (Figs; 2 and 5) of a reface of the plate 6, and thecore 30 of the solenoid whichis mounted for sliding move ment in the solenoid, is provided with anextension 31 (F igj5) which projects through an aperturein the plate 6. The extension 31 is provided with ,rack teeth 32 which mesh with theteeth of the pinion 26, so that as the vane rotates'the core of the solenoid will partake of a corresponding? but re-, Spring bumper strips 33 and 34 are carriedby the frame. 28 of the solenoid and have spaced resilient ends which act as resilient stops ing through an aperture .in the inner strip 7 34-and having a collar 35 which engages with the strip 34 at its inner limit ofmovement. A'plate 36 is secured between the solenoid frame 28 and the plate 6 and is provided.

with an extending tongue 37 having an aperture 38 therein. The terminals of a wire 39 (F ige 2) are bent to form loops 40 and at an intermediate point the wire is flattened somewhat as at '41. One of the lugs 10 of the bracket member is provided with .a slot 42 (Fig. 4) of a size to permit movement of the wire 39 endwise therein, but prevent passage therethrough of the-terminals 40. A narrower slot 43'connects the slot 42 with an edge ofthe lug 10' and has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the flattened portion 41- of the wire so that when the wire is shifted endwise in the slot 42 to bring the flattened portion into the slot, the wire may be shifted through the slot 43in order tofree the same from thelug. A flexible cable or chain 44 (Fig. 2) is connected at one endto the angular tongue 37 through aperture 38, and at its other end is connected to the lower 100p 40 of the wire 39. I During disengagement of the plate 6 from its position across the aperture 2, the chain 44 .attach-' ing the plate6 to the bracket member will prevent accidental-dropping of the plate to the floor. g

A plurality of bracket plates 45 (Fig. 6) are arranged along the rearface of the plate 6 for supporting the holding and remagnet 47, and terminate in bearing ears 48 for an armature 49. The bearing ears 50 of the armature are pivoted between the ears 48 of the bracket plate by means of a pin 51 which passes through the ears 48 and 50; Each armature is provided with a forwardly-extending latch arm 52 which pro jects through an aperture in the plate 6- and carries at its forward end a bevelled cam nose 53 and immediately to-the. rear thereof a notch 54 which forms a latch 55 for a vane. An electromagnet and latch are provided fol-each vane, and when the armatureis in its released position the weight of the latch arm 52 will carry it downwardly and shift the armature away latch is energized, the latch arm will be 1 from the electromagnet. If a vane is roelevatedto carry the notch 54 free of the va'ne'and permit the latter to'ino've away from the plate 6 and rotate to its lower position under the influence of gravity.

" Ascrew 55 passes through the plate 6 into the core of the 'electromagnet 47 and anchors the same to the plate 6. An open ended casing 56 (Fig; 6) is'di'sposed endwise against the bracket plate 45 and a tubular screw 57 passes through the plate 6 andthe bracket plate 45 and threads into the interior of the casing 56 so asto to the bracket plate and plate to the rear of the plate 6. A kick-off plunger 59 is slidably mounted in the tubular screw and also in the opposite open end of the casing 56; The plunger isprovided with a collar 60 which limits its movement outwardly through the tubular screw. A helical spring 61 surrounding the plunger 59 reacts between a wall of the casing 56 and the collar 60 of the plunger so as to normally press the plunger outwardly throughthe tubular screw and against the vane held by the corresponding latch 52. Thus, when a vaneis released by its latch, the kick-off plunger will automatically impart thereto an initial rotary movement which will carry the Vane beyond a vertical "plane passing through the axis of the rod 22 and insure rotation of the vane about the rod 22 to a position below the rod 22, as showni'n Figure 3, for example.

The rear face of the mainvane E, (considered when in held position) and the forward faces of the component vanes together carry suitable symbols or representations 62 (Fig. 3) which are visible when the main vane has been released and rotated to its lower p'os'ition. As illustrated, this symbol may comprise a number, by which .a certain member of theassembly will be designated. Thus, when the main vane is release-d and a number is displayed, the member designated by that number will observe the display of the number and will know that he is being called, and when the call is answered, the main vane will be restored to its upper position in which case no symbolwill be visible until a vane is again released. The rear faces of the component vanes (considered when in hel-d' position) are provided with component portions of the symbols appear ingupon the opposite faces thereof, but so arranged that when the component vanes .are released and rotate to their lower positions, the component portions of the symbols thereon will form a continuation or completion of the symbols'upon the adjoining vanes and replace the portion of the symbols formerly supplied by the other face bf the van before itsrelease. In addition, each of the 1 component vanes carries upon its rear face an additional distinctive symbol or identification mark'63 which will bedisplayed when anchor the casing anchor the bracket that component mm is release-c1 and. rotates component vanes, each symbol'63 represent ing (in code) a particular person or party who maybe calling the person or member designated'by the major symbol 62. Thus,

if the main'vane is released, the major sym that member.

-bol only will be displayed, which indicates, for example, that die main: office; is" calling If, however, a component- :vane is also released, the major symbol will" still be displayed and one or more additional symbols 63 will also be displayed which will indicate to thei'nember being called that so he is wanted byaparticular par ty whom he" will be able to identify by the characterof the particular symbol 63 or combination gof 1 symbols which is displayed. Obviously,one

or all 'ofthe component vanes-may be re leased at-the same time that the majorvane is released, and the various-possible cent binations of additional symbols which may" be displayed will provide a relatively-large I In the u's'eof this device, such as, for ex range of signals.

ample, in stock exchanges, a battery of these annunciator units will be mounted along one" of the walls of the exchange in a positionto be, readily observed'by the members upon the floor of the exchange. The electromagnets 47 and29 will be controlled from a suit able switchboard at a" distant point-andin charge of an operator. Suppose,for exainple, that a call for'i'nember 94 comes infrorn one of his correspondents who-may be des-f ignated by the square'a'nd circle symbol ill lustrated by the reference character 63in Figure 3. The operator will close a circuit leading to the electromagnet 47 which controlsthe latch for the main'vane." The energizatio'n of this electroinagnet will operate ts armature to raise its latch and release the main vane which will be kicked off by the plunger 59 which has been pressing against the same. The main vane will then rotate to its lower position and display the;

large symbol 94 which willindicate to the member upon the floor who is identified by that number,-'that'a call-for'hini hasb'een received.

If a particular correspondent is calling this number the operator will also close a circuit leading'to one of the other electro-' .magnets 47 of the same unit whichcontrols the component vane having uponits rear face the auxiliary signal 68 which identifies the particular correspondent. The energi" zation of this electromagnet will operate its armature and latch to release thatfcom ponent vane. This component vane will then be kicked off by the plunger 59 which has been pressing against the same and will rotate into its lower position so es to'dis- I I play the auxiliary signal 63 and also to ingthe display, of this number and the auxiliary signal .63 will know he is Wanted by a certain correspondent and accordingly he will, as soon as possible, appear at the operators desk and answer the, call. The operator willthen close a circuit leading to the electromagnet 29 which, when energized, will operate the core 30 to the right in Figure 5, and by its connection through its rack '31to the pinion 26 will rotate the main vane E to itsupper position. The main vane will also carry with it such component vanes as have been releasedand all will be restored to their upper position and automatically latched in that position by the correspondlng latches 52. In the same mannerany other component vane or group of component vanes maybe released when calls are received from other correspondents for that 7 member.

Theoperative parts of the annunciator unit will be accessible from the rear of the frame 3 for inspection and ordinary repairs,

but. in case of difliculty which necessitates the removal of the unit, the nuts 13 will be loosened so as to permit the washer 12 to be pulledrearwardly beyond the rear edges of one of the lugs 10 and then rotated into a vertical position so as to be able to: pass through the'slot 9. vThe plate will then be shifted forwardly to carry the washer and nut through the slot 9 and carrythe plate from its position across the aperture 2. The

- plate is then shifted into a position diagonally of the aperture 2 and frame 3 and brought rearwardly and edgewise through the frame 3. If the plate 6 should be accidentally dropped after it has been released from the. frame, but before having been withdrawn therefrom, it can only drop a limited distancebefore its descent will be stopped bythe chain 4%. After the unit-has been ithdrawn through the frame, 3, the wire '39 may be shifted upwardly to bring the flattened portion 41 into the slot 42,30 as to permit the wire to bewithdrawn through the narrower slot {L3, which completelyreleases the plate 6 from the frame. The unit is reapplied across the aperture 2 by a re- I verse order of steps.

It will be obvious that various changes in 5 .the details and arrangements of parts herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of the invention may be made by thoseskilled in the art Within; the principle and scope of the invention.

" I claim:

1. In an annunciator, a plurality of auxiliary display vanes arranged side by side and hinged for independent rotation upon a common axis, a main display vane also hinged for rotation about said axis, re-

position, said vanes having on their display faces suitable display information, the display matter of each auxiliary vane being substantially identical in character and location with the portion upon the main display vane which is covered thereby and also having other display symbols, whereby when the main vane is released a symbol will be displayed and when one ,or more of the auxiliary vanes is released the samesymbol will be displayed and in addition another symbol may be displayed for each released auxiliary vane. a

2. In an annunciator, a plurality of auxil iary display members arranged side by side and hinged for independent rotation upon a common axis, a main display member also hinged for rotation about said axis and overlapping said auxiliary members when all are on one side of the axis, and releasable means for normally holding all of said members together and at one side of the axis and operable to release the members, one or more at a time, to permit them to rotate to display positions, said display members carrying indicating symbols, those upon the auxiliary members supplementing those exhibited upon release of the main display member.

3. In an annunciator, a plurality of auxiliary display members arranged side by side 9 and hinged for independent rotation upon a common axis, a main display member also hinged for rotation about said axis and over lapping said auxiliary members when all are on one side of the axis, a latch. for holding 105 each auxiliary member at one side of the axis and independently of the other members, and a latch for holding said main memher also at said one side of the axis, said display members carrying indicating symbols,

on one side of the axis, and releasable means for normaly holding all of said members together and atone side of the axis and operable to release the members, one'or more at a time, to permit them to rotate to display positions, said display members carrying indicat-ing symbols, those upon the auxiliary members supplementing those exhibited upon release of the main display member.

5. In an annunciator, a plurality ofcom-' poncnt display vanes arranged side by side and hinged for independent rotation upon a common axis, a mam vane overlapping the component vanes and hinged for rotation about said common axis, and releasable means normally holding said vanes together and operable to release the vanes one at a time for rotation to other positions, said vanes carrying indicating symbols, those upon the component vanes supplementing those exhibited upon release of the main vane.

6. In an annunciator, component display vanes arranged side by side and hinged for independent rotation to diiferentpositions'a main vane overlapping the component vanes and hinged for movement to a" position to uncover the component vanes, and releasableholding means for said vanes operable to release the vanes one at atime, all of said vanes carrying display symbols which form different display combinations when 're-' leased in different combinations.

7. In an annunciator, component display vanes arranged side by side and hinged for independent rotation to different positions, a main vane overlapping the component vanes and hinged for movement to a position to uncover the component vanes, releasable holding means for said vanes operable to release the vanes one at a time, said vanes having related symbols on their abutting faces which form a common symbol when the main vane uncovers the other vanes, the

I symbol upon the then non-visible face, and

rear faces of the component vanes having symbols, which, when any component vane is released and rotates toanother position, will be displayed as a counterpart of the in addition have another distinguished symbol. v

8. In an annunciator, a plate, a display member hinged for rotation toward and from the front face of the plate, means for i releasably holding the member against the plate, an open ended casing abutting endwise against the rear face of the plate, a tubular screw'passing through the plate from the front face and threaded into the abutting end of the casing to anchor the'casing to the plate, a plunger slidable in said tubuing ,uponfthe plunger to pressthe same'for Wardly against the member and impart I 9. In an annunclator, a plate, a display lar screw, and a spring in said casing -act-' 7 member hinged for rotation toward and from the front face of the plate, means for releasably holding the member against the plate, an open ended casing abutting'endwise against the rear face of the plate, a

tubular screw passing through thegplate" from the front face and threaded into the abutting end of the casing to anchor the oasing to the plate, a plunger slidable in said tubular screw, and having a collar engaging with the screws to limit its forward movement, and a spring in said casing acting upon the plunger to press the same forwardly against the held member and impart there-p to when releasedan initial from the plate. 7 y

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my signature.

movement away WI LIAM T. DIPPEL. 

